ALMATY (Kazakhstan)/SHANGHAI, June 16 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf on Friday hoped successful accomplishment of the deal, under which China has to provide four frigates to Pakistan by the year 2013, with transfer of technology.
During his visit to Hudong shipyard where the construction of frigates will take place, he said the F- 2P frigate project will prove an outstanding symbol of ever-green Sino-Pak friendship.
The President who was here to attend the SCO's summit availed the opportunity to visit the shipyard, reviewing the existing cooperation between navies of the two countries.
He was given comprehensive briefing about different construction phases of the Frigates. The President was told that first frigate would be ready for delivery to Pakistan within next three years.
Three frigates, to be equipped with latest helicopter and missile system, will be built at the Chinese Hudong Shipping country, while four at the Karachi shipyard.
In his brief remarks about the project, President Musharraf further said that it would enrich Pakistan's experience to build most modern war-ships in the country. He said he was fully satisfied with the progress of the project.
The President was further informed that the design of the frigates was being prepared in accordance with specific Pakistan’s requirements. This is the first major collaboration between the two navies.
The frigates would be up to the level of highly advanced international standard, said President of the Shipyard Zhou Jian Neng while introducing the main features of the project.
Earlier, Chinese Minister Commission for Science, Industry and Defence Zhang Yunchuan met the President and discussed with him matters of bilateral cooperation. The progress on the on-going projects in the field of science and technology was discussed at the meeting.
